A Beginner’s Guide to Madison
Written by Evanka AnnyapuPhotography by Tori Tiso “So, what are some things that we should do in Madison?” A student from Singapore asked me. We stood on the thick ice of Lake Mendota, surrounded by the brooms that brushed across the fluff and slush of snow playing broomball, people gliding across the ice with their kites, and phones that clicked away at faces and the giant inflatable Statue of Liberty that was ‘sinking’ behind them. I glanced at a good friend of mine who has lived in Madison just as long as me and shared a moment of sheer shock and silence. What do we do? At that moment, I stumbled through different ideas, not really giving thought to what Madison was really beautiful for, how it was a place for every type of personality. Now, looking back at my ideas; the zoo, hiking over by Picnic Point, skiing at Tyrol Basin, walking up and down State Street, and seeing the lake from atop Monona Terrace, these were all cliches. Ideas that you could easily pick up from the first link you search up for ideas on what to see in Madison. If you really want to see Madison, you have to explore the city as a local by understanding the vibe and culture. Don’t spend your time searching for the coolest museums or the most exquisite restaurants. Simply take a chance at exploring the city, neighborhood by neighborhood. You could stumble upon the Legacy House Imports tea room on Lien Rd, where you can be served the finest afternoon tea with biscuits and scones. Or you could take a stroll down Willy Street for a variety of family-owned businesses; Change (for fair-trade clothing), Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier (to satisfy your chocolate craving), and Hatch Art House (check out your local Wisconsinites’ creative works here). As the Wisconsin Idea Editor, I hope to provide you with unique ways to explore the Madison area. And for those who are from Madison and don’t know what to tell your friends about Wisconsin when they visit, tell them to step away from the commercial excitement that they can find anywhere and to take a chance at hitting the sidewalks of local neighborhoods for some of the purest views in Madison. 
